Episode Transcript
You are listening to daily insights on the three ABN Radio Network. And here is your host, Kaysie Butler. Hello and welcome.
I am so delighted to have you join me today. I've been thinking about various things that help to brighten and smooth our daily lives and I want to share some of them with you today. To begin with, though, I want to share with you a poem by Robert Hare, and it's called Do Something.
It goes like this. Have something to show for your toiling something to count up as gain when the evening shadows are falling over the sky and plain something to show for the daytime something to tell you have toiled something if only a picture your trembling hand has spoiled life's. Page may be blotted already and marked with many a scroll but better, far better scroll markings than not any markings at all.
Then dare to do something prospective and stand to your task by the day they'll be resting enough hereafter when visions of earth pass away. And toiling is better than rusting, for toiling can fit you for rest. But the soul that grows careless is ever unblessing alike and unblest.
So what will you put on your page today? Will the world be better off for you living in it? Will you splash some sunshine into the lives of others? Will you do some kind deeds that will cheer someone's soul? Do you know, I find that to be able to live that way requires some help. We need the help of Jesus to be able to live in such a way, to be a blessing to others like that, to be filled with the fruit of the, you know, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness. All of those things which do so much to bless our own souls and bless others.
The only way we get that is by spending time with Jesus and asking to be filled with the Holy Spirit. The Scripture says in Psalms 46, verse ten, be still and know that I am God. And it's as we are still and we behold Christ and allow his character to fill our minds, that we are able to reflect that in our daily lives.
I have a song now sung by Melody St. Clair Randartzo and accompanied by a Christian concert pianist called Greg Howlett. And they are sharing the piece.
Be still, my soul, my soul. The Lord is on my side. Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy ground to order and provide in every change he faithful will be still my Soul thy Best thy heavenly friend through leads to a joyful you still my soul feel when we shall be forever with the lord us when it grief and fear work sorrow for God loves purest choice restore is change and tears are blood. All safe and blessed we shall meet at that was Melody, Sinclair and Artzo, accompanied by Greg Howlett. You know when you start your day with God, it helps to put you in the right kind of mindset for the rest of the day.
If you have set your focus on God and on service to others, that will then flow out in all that you do for the rest of the day. Listen to this statement by Mrs. Ellen White in the book christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, page 13.
It says the relation which exists between the mind and the body is very intimate. When one is affected, the other sympathizes. The condition of the mind affects the health of the physical system.
If the mind is free and happy from a consciousness of right doing and a sense of satisfaction in causing happiness to others, it creates a cheerfulness that will react upon the whole system, causing a freer circulation of the blood and atoning up of the entire body. The blessing of God is a healing power and those who are abundant in benefiting others will realize that wondrous blessing in both heart and life. I think that's amazing how the way that you think and your mental frame of mind has such a powerful effect not only on your physical health, but on your attitude, on your countenance, and on just everything that you would end up doing in your day.
The next song we're going to hear is put together by Eastwood Music Camp. It's an Eastwood Music Camp production and it's called Always Cheerful. And this particular recording has some interesting sound effects because it was performed out in the garden.
So you'll hear some nature sounds as well as some machinery sounds, but I think it will be very enjoyable. And they're talking about being Always cheerful. And again, this is as a result of doing right, knowing that you're doing right and knowing that you are being a blessing to others.
You my little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but indeed and in truth whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might. Finally my brethren, rejoice in the Lord you jam let our hearts be always cheerful why should Mermin enter there when our kind and loving father makes his children of his care? All she know we may always be with each gentleman to be sure that I see us he has promised grace to help us never get from the same always you may always be wand of shadow check the rapture. Of our soul always here for the sunshine all around me always before we you always happy and let us see the blessed council shut the wrong always cheerful always shine all the song always cheerful and thank you to the Eastwood team and the young people at Eastwood Music Camp for putting together that unique arrangement of that piece.
So there is a bit of a theme on service and how that really can brighten our day. But, you know, there's something else that can do that and that is to be grateful and to cultivate gratitude. Did you know that regularly practicing gratitude can actually improve both emotional and physical health? Dr.
Jane Hart writes in an article entitled Practicing Gratitude Linked to Better Health that research has shown that gratitude enhances nearly all spheres of functioning. It can lower blood pressure, improve immune function and facilitate more efficient sleep. Gratitude reduces the lifetime risk for depression, anxiety and substance abuse disorders.
And it is a key resiliency factor in the prevention of suicide. And you know what the beauty of gratitude is? It's simple to do. It costs nothing.
Anyone can do it. All you have to do is just think about and count up the things that you are thankful for and express them. Whether it's writing down on paper or sharing with others, various things like that, and you get all those benefits.
It's a great thing to do that can help to brighten your day. And the next song I want to share with you is all about that. It's called Every Little Blessing and it's sung by Heather Schoff.
One, two, ready? Count your blessings every little blessing go ahead and name them one by one why don't you count your blessings every little blessing see what the Lord has done go ahead and count your blessings every little blessing name them one by one and it will surprise you what the Lord has done when you're feeling tempest off so discouraged thinking all is lost count your blessings, name them one by one and it will surprise you what the Lord has done count your blessings every little blessing go ahead and name them one by one why don't you count your blessings every little blessing see what the Lord has done go ahead and count your blessings every little blessing name them one by one and it will surprise you what the Lord has done are you burdened with the load of care? The cross is heavy you must bear? Count your blessings every doubt will fly every doubt you will be singing as the days go by go by count your blessings every little blessing go ahead and name them one by one one by one don't you count your blessings every little blessing see what the Lord has done count your blessings every little blessing amen. One by one and it will surprise you and it will surprise you and it will surprise you what the Lord has done. Count your blessings one by one.
I won't count your blessings. See what God has done. Count your blessings.
Name them one by one by one. Count your many blessings. See what God has done.
Now, doesn't that inspire you to count your blessings? Such a beautiful, cheerful piece. I hope you enjoyed that as much as I did. Another thing that I have found helps to smooth out our day is to be content, to have a contented attitude.
And I remember struggling with being discontent once and I was walking outside and I saw a little flower sitting happily by the side of the road, its face up, looking up to the sun, just waving gently in the breeze. And I just looked so content and I thought if only I could be like that. And truly I found the solution is in asking God to give us the spirit of contentment and a contented heart.
And it says in Hebrews 13 five, be content with such things as ye have, for he has said I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So when we have Christ in charge of our life, we can be content. There's another lesson that can be learned from flowers though and Sandra enterman is going to be sharing that with us in the next piece called Little Flowers.
Little flowers never worry when the wind begins to blow and they never, never cry when the rain begin to fall though it's wet and also cold soon the sun will shine again then they'll smile unto the world for their beauty to behold so let it rain, let it rain, let it let trouble keep knocking at my door if we learn the right it will help to make us strong when the clouds begin to gather world and the wind begins to blow. Little flowers don't complain though they're tossing to and fro. Oh, I guess they've learned the secret.
They don't breath because they know if it never rains then they never, never grow. So let it rain, let it rain, let it fall let rubble keep on knocking at my door if we it will help to make us strong lord, please help us learn the secret even little flowers, if it never rains, then we'll never never grow. Did you catch that lesson? So if you're feeling blue or if your day is a bit grey just remember the little flowers only grow with a bit of rain maybe that can give you some courage.
Now the final song I want to share with you is will You Love Jesus More? And it's sung by Lisa Tempest. Sand, I could maybe friend you with tender words and harmony on you. But if all I've done in the time we share, it's just your eyes on me when I failed what I've been called to do.
There's someone else I want you to see. Will you love Jesus more when we go our separate ways? When this moment's just a memory will you remember his face when you look back and realize you sent his love more than you did before? I pray for nothingness and for you to love Jesus more. I'd like to keep these memories in frames of Golden Town about the smiles we share.
But above all else, I hope you will know to know the Father. When we see face we will hear him say well done. Will you love Jesus more when we when this moment's just a memory will you remember his face? Will you look back in real life you sense his love more than you give before.
I pray for nothing less than for you to love Jesus more. Will you love Jesus more? When we go out, when this moment's just a memory, will we remember his face? Will we look back and realize we sense it love more than we give before. I pray for nothing else and for you to love Jesus.
We pray for nothing less than for you to love Jesus. Well, there you have it. I think that's the ultimate thing that can bring satisfaction and brightness to your day.
And that is that when you get to the end of it, you know that someone loves Jesus more. And you do too. I hope this program has been an inspiration to you.
Thank you for joining me, and until next time, may the Lord richly bless you. Have been listening to a production of three ABN Australia radio. Welcome to the minute that makes a difference.
I'm Margot Marshall. What difference would it make if you made a habit of being grateful? Gratitude actually has measurable health benefits. For example, adults who keep gratitude journals on a regular basis exercise more regularly.
They report fewer illness symptoms, feel better about their lives as a whole, and are more optimistic about the future. Gratitude is actually a science, and it's also ancient wisdom, having way over 100 mentions in the Bible. And there's a lot to be thankful for.
Albert Einstein admitted that he needed to remind himself a hundred times a day that his inner and outer life depended on the labours of other people, living and dead. So cultivate gratitude. It makes a difference.
